Australian Medical Association - Tasmania

31/12/2025

It’s been a busy few weeks for the AMA Tasmania team as we prepare to welcome the incoming cohort of intern doctors next week.

Beginning your internship is an exciting milestone & it’s completely normal for it to feel a little overwhelming. Asking questions is part of the journey, and it will continue throughout your entire career.

When you meet the AMA Tasmania team next week, you’ll be connecting with doctors who have stood exactly where you are now. Over time, they often become trusted colleagues, mentors, and an ongoing source of support.

We’re pleased to be launching our new Intern Guide and inviting interns to participate in our year‑round webinar series, developed by junior doctors who have stood where you are, to provide practical, peer‑driven insights during your first year.

Our team will be on site at three locations around the State ready to answer questions, offer guidance, and yes… provide some much‑needed brain fuel.

To learn more about AMA Tasmania or to join us, visit: https://www.ama.com.au/tas/join-the-ama

We look forward to meeting Tasmania’s newest medical professionals and supporting you as you take this next important step.

24/12/2025

The AMA Tasmania welcomes the acquisition of the Hobart Private Hospital by Calvary Health Care in Hobart - Lenah Valley and St John’s Hospitals - https://www.calvarycare.org.au/news-and-events/news/calvary-to-acquire-hobart-and-holmesglen-private-hospitals

This is good news for private patients who want access to private beds and a choice of doctors. However, we are deeply concerned about the potential restriction of lawful medical procedures in the private hospital sector as a result.

The AMA Tasmania welcomes the acquisition of the Hobart Private Hospital by Calvary. This is good news for private patients who want access to private beds and a choice of doctors. However, we are deeply concerned about the potential restriction of lawful medical procedures in the private hospital s...

24/12/2025

A new walk-in mental health support centre has opened on Hobart’s Eastern Shore, offering free services to young Tasmanians struggling with depression, anxiety and loneliness 👉 https://bit.ly/490EAeB

19/12/2025

Following pressure from the AMA, MBS Item 11714 will be claimable by GPs from 1 March 2026. This means that GPs will have the same access to the existing MBS ECG, trace and clinical note item, as non GP specialists.

18/12/2025

Have you made your list… and checked it twice?
Before you switch to holiday mode, make sure you’ve ticked off your Festive Health Checklist so you can enjoy a safe, happy and healthy break:

✅ 1. Prepare your care
Get any prescriptions filled and finalise any urgent follow-ups—including blood tests, scans, or anything else you need for your ongoing care.

✅ 2. Check holiday operating hours
Your usual doctor or healthcare provider may have different hours over the holidays, so check before you need them.

✅ 3. Know your options
If you need immediate non-emergency care, know what’s available near you:
· Medicare UCCs (open with extended hours over the festive period)
· Community pharmacies for common ailments, illnesses and prescriptions
· Care@home virtual care service, available throughout the holidays to support respiratory and other illnesses

✅ 4. Not sure what to do?
Contact healthdirect on 1800 022 222 any time. Registered Nurses are available 24/7 to provide expert advice and guide you to the right care.

💚 Take care of your health now, so you can spend your holidays on what really matters.

🔗 To know more about your treatment options in Tasmania, visit www.health.tas.gov.au/rightcare

17/12/2025

Huge congratulations to all the Year 5 students at the Rural Clinical School! Today is a big day, you’ve worked hard, stayed strong, and now you’re ready for the next step in becoming incredible doctors. Welcome to the next part of your journey.

🌟Class of 2025 Graduates 🌟
A very proud day for the team at RCS to see our Year 5 students graduate. They will be wonderful doctors, and we can't wait to see where their journey takes them!
🩺

15/12/2025

The Australian Medical Association is shocked and dismayed by the violent terror attack committed last night during a celebration of Hanukkah at Bondi.

Doctors across the country are horrified by these deplorable attacks and have expressed their deep sorrow for all the victims and their families.

We are so deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life and the injuries inflicted on so many people who were innocently celebrating at a Hanukkah event.

This is an incredibly challenging time for the first responders and healthcare workers who have been confronted with the impacts of this attack. We stand by to offer our support to them as they deal with those impacts.

We stand by our Jewish communities as they, with our support, deal with the immediate impacts and the aftermath.

We condemn violence and hatred and the division these kinds of attacks seek to sow. We condemn terrorism, and we stand with all those who are calling for a safe Australia, free of division and persecution.

If people need to talk, there is help available, including for doctors through the Drs4Drs service.

13/12/2025

The AMA Tasmania supports the Tasmanian Industrial Commission's position that access and flow solutions must be implemented before reducing the Transfer of Care (TOC) timeframe from 60 minutes to 45 minutes.

We strongly oppose the government’s decision to impose shorter TOC times without addressing the significant pressures on our hospitals. This could lead to a concerning shift from driveway ramping to emergency department ramping.

Our healthcare system is already stretched thin, and further reductions without substantial reforms will only exacerbate delays in patient care. Our members are committed to advocating for improvements in both in-hospital and out-of-hospital services to enhance patient flow and ensure that ambulances can return to service promptly.

The AMA Tasmania strongly opposes the Tasmanian Government's decision to reduce the transfer of care (TOC) protocol target to 45 minutes until hospitals are adequately resourced for the current 60-minute protocol. We recognise the importance of ambulances being available in our community, but this c...

12/12/2025

Today, health ministers failed to secure a new hospital funding agreement, and it’s Tasmanians who will suffer.

Longer wait times, delayed surgeries, and overwhelmed public hospitals are the harsh reality we face. In Tasmania, we're already dealing with ambulances ramping outside emergency departments and patients unable to get the care they need.

It’s time for the Federal Government to set aside the politics, end the delays, and honour its commitments to our healthcare system.

The Australian Medical Association says the inability of health ministers to reach a new agreement on hospital funding today means Australian patients will continue to suffer, with logjammed public hospitals in crisis.

11/12/2025

The AMA Tasmania welcomes this announcement, which marks a significant milestone for rural generalists and represents a positive step towards enhancing maternity care and addressing the urgent needs of our healthcare system. The integration of Rural Generalists is a crucial part of this effort, and these appointments emphasise the importance of continuity of care for mothers and their babies, as highlighted by Dr Sally Street. This initiative will also help strengthen workforce retention and stability, particularly within our rural communities.

Tasmania has employed two general practitioner obstetricians in public hospital birthing teams for the first time, marking a breakthrough for rural healthcare after decades of advocacy. 👩‍🍼 https://bit.ly/4iOtIox

10/12/2025

Australia's social media ban for under-16s starts today. The AMA supports the world-first initiative as a vital step to protect young people’s health and wellbeing.

Last year, our submission to the Parliamentary Inquiry into social media's impacts outlined clear health and safety risks to young users.

Children deserve protection from harmful advertising, misinformation, and cyberbullying during critical developmental years.

While implementation won't be perfect, this represents important progress. We encourage families to use this opportunity to promote face-to-face connections, physical activity, and healthier screen habits.

Read our full submission: https://www.ama.com.au/articles/ama-submission-parliamentary-inquiry-influence-and-impacts-social-media-australian-society

10/12/2025

Welcome news for mental health care in southern Tasmania in ensuring patients maintain access to vital services. A big thank you to all who advocated for this outcome!

The Hobart Clinic has reopened after a $2 million state grant saved the 27-bed private mental health facility from closure.

A new board stepped in after the former administration deemed the model unviable.

Chair Tim Booker said the focus was ensuring safe clinical governance and stabilising the business before reshaping the model, calling safe, consistent care non-negotiable.

Dr Rob Walters said the clinic continued to fill a crucial gap and praised loyal staff.

ANMF secretary Emily Shepherd welcomed the return, saying the clinic has been a lifeline for Tasmanians.